Clasp for bond

ABSTRACT

A clasp for joining two elements by engagement of a male portion of one element into a female cavity of the other element. A protrusion on the male portion is matingly engageable with a recess in the cavity. A releasable locking member in the cavity engages the male portion to lock the two elements together.

United States Patent 1191 Lou et al.

[4 1 Sept. 30, 1975 1 1 CLASP FOR BOND {75] Inventors: W0 Joaa Lou, Bienne; Paul Viilgyi,

La Neuvcville; Roger Defossez, Prcles, all of Switzerland [73] Assignee: Societe Suisse pour llndustrie Horlogere Management Services S.A., Bienne Switzerland [22] Filed: Nov. 9. 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 414,319

US. Cl... 24/230 AK 511 lm. c|.'- A44B 11/25 [58] Field of Search 24 230 AK, 230 AM [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3517.416 Frei 24/230 AK 3.593.388 7/1971 Coylc .1 24/230 AK FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1.340076 9/1963 France 24/230 AK l 399 338 4/1965 France 24/230 AK 657.156 10/1963 Italy 24/230 AK Primary Eruminer-Bernard A. Gelak Attorney. Agent, or FirmSilverman & Cass, Ltd.

| 57 ABSTRACT A clasp for joining two elements by engagement of a male portion of one element into a female cavity of the other element. A protrusion on the male portion is matingly engageable with a recess in the cavity. A releasable locking member in the cavity engages the male portion to lock the two elements together.

2 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures SCL U.S. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet 1 of 4 3,908,243

FIG. 4

US. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet2of4 3,908,243

rllll US. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet 3 of4 3,908,243

FIG. 10

US. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet4 0f4 3,908,243

CLASP FOR BOND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a clasp for bond comprising two elements joined to each other by engagement of a male portion of one of these elements into a female cavity of the other one.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The said clasp is characterized by the fact that the said female cavity opens on the front face of the element in which it is provided, one of the walls of the said cavity being provided, inwardly, with a recess into which enters a'corresponding protrusion of the male portion of the other element, the height of the said portion being lower than the height of the said cavity so that a locking member, located in this cavity, and which is reachable from the outside, engages itself between the said male portion and the wall of the cavity situated opposite the wall provided with the recess so as to lock the protrusion of the male portion in the said recess and thus produce the locking of the two elements assembled to each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS I The drawings show, by way of example, four embodiments constructed in accordance with the invention.

'FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wrist-watch, the two parts of the wristlet of which are joined to the casing of the watch by means of the present clasp constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one element of the said clasp, taken on a larger scale.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another element of the said clasp, taken on the scale of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the clasp in its closed position, taken on a larger scale.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a wrist-watch the two parts of the wristlet of which are joined to the casing of the watch by means of the clasp constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the clasp in it's closed position, taken on a larger scale.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of said clasp, also in its closed position;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a wrist-watch, the two parts of the wristlet of which are joined to the casing of the watch by means of the clasp'constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of the clasp in its closed position, taken on a larger scale.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. 9 in the direction indicated generally.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a wrist-watch, the two parts of the wristlet of which are joined to the casing of the watch by means of the clasp constructed in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. '12 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of said clasp, taken on a larger scale.

FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view of the clasp, in its closed position. passing through the axis of one of its joining protrusions, and

FIG. 14 is a longitudinal sectional view of the clasp, in its closed position, passing through its longitudinal median plan.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The watch shown in FIG. 1 is generally designated by 1. It comprises a wristlet, the two parts of which, 2a and 2b, are joined to the casing 3 of the watch 1 by means of two clasps generally designated by 4.

' Each clasp 4 comprises a female element 5 articulated by means of a resilient barrette passing through a transversal hole 6 of the element to the lugs 3a of the casing of the watch. Each female element 5 is provided with an inner cavity 7, of rectangular cross-section as shown in FIG. 2, opening at 8 on the front face of the element.

The clasp comprises moreover a male element 9 provided with a transversal part 9a to which is articulated the wristlet and which is provided with a protrusion 9b intended to engage the cavity 7 of the female element 5. The protrusion 9b is provided with a transversal rib 9c intended to engage into a transversal groove 10 provided in one of the lateral walls, designated by 5a, of the female element 5.

The female element 5 carries, located in the cavity 7, a locking member 11, of rectangular cross-section as the cross-section of the cavity 7, and which slides in this cavity, guided by the walls thereof. This locking member 11 is provided, on its front face, with a protrusion 11a intended to engage itself, when the protrusion 9b of die element 9 is in the cavity 7, above this protrusion 9b the height of which is, to this effect, shorter than the height of the cavity. The locking member 11 maintains then the protrusion 9b in place in the cavity 7, in the position represented in FIG. 4, in which the transversal rib 9c is engaged in the groove 10. A blade spring 12 interposed between the bottom 13 of the cavity 7 and the rear face 14 of the locking member 11 urges the member 11 into its working position.

The lateral walls 5b of the element 5 are each provided with an elongated aperture 15. These two elongated apertures are traversed by a stem 16 which traverses moreover with play the locking member 11. This stem 16 carries two operating sleeves 17 each forced on one of its ends. While acting on these two sleeves 17 one can move the locking member 11 in the cavity 7, against the action of the return spring 12, for releasing the protrusion 9b of the element 9. It is to be noted that, owing to the play of the stem 16 in the locking member 11, if one acts only on one of the sleeves 17, the stem 16 inclines itself, so that one cannot move the locking member 11 that prevents any accidental movement of this member.

As a modification, the element 9 could be carried by the casing of the watch and the element 5 by the wristlet.

Instead of serving to secure the two parts 2a and 2b of the bond to the casing 3 of the watch, the clasp could also serve to binding to each other the two parts of the bond, the element 5 being then secured to one of the parts and the element 9 to the other one.

The watch represented in FIG. 5, generally designated by 18, comprises a wristlet the two parts of which, designated by 19a and 19b, are hunged to the casing of the watch each by a clasp, generally designated by 20, comprising a female element 21 secured to the casing between the lugs 22 of this latter, and a male element 23 provided with a protrusion 23a engaging itself into the inner cavity, designated by 24, of the female element. A rib 23b provided at the end of the protrusion 23a engages, when the clasp is closed, into a groove 25 provide in one of the walls 21a of the element 21 constituting the bottom of this latter.

A locking member 26 constituted by a semicircular small plate is rotatably mounted in the cavity 24 by means of a shaft 27 on which it is forced. This shaft 27 is rotatably mounted in the bottom 21a of the element 21 and carries, at its other end, an operating head 28 located in an opening 29 provided in the wall 21b of the element 21 opposed to its bottom 21a. The head 28 is provided with a diametral slit 30 serving as a grasping means for an operating means, for instance a coin, permitting to rotate it.

When the head 28 occupies the position represented in FIGS. 6 and 7, the small plate 26 constituting the locking member is engaged in the free space 31 situated between the protrusion 23a .of element 23 and the wall 21b of element 21, thus preventing the rib 23b of element 23 from leaving the slit 25 provided in the bottom 21a of the element 21. 1f the head 28 is brought to rotate of 180, the small plate 26 then occupies the position represented in dot-and-dash lines, in FIG. 6, in which it has leaved the space 31, thus releasing the protrusion 23a of element 23 the rib 23b of which then can leave the slit 25.

The watch represented in FIG. 8, generally designated by 32, comprises a wristlet the two parts of which, designated by 33a and 33b, are hanged to the casing of the watch each by means of a clasp, generally designated by 34, comprising a female element 35 secured to the casing, between the lugs of this latter, and a male element 37 provided with a protrusion 37a engaging itself into the inner cavity, designated by 38, of the female element 35. A rib 37b provided at the end of the protrusion 37a is engaged, when the clasp is closed, in a slit 39 provided in one of the walls, 35a, of the element 35, constituting the bottom of this latter.

A locking member 40, constituted by a barrette disposed transversally in the cavity 38 of element 35,

slides in this cavity and is submitted to the action of a return spring 41 which urges it into its working position in which an edge a of the said barrette is engaged in the free space 42 situated between the protrusion 37a of element 37 and the wall 35b of element 35 opposed to its bottom 35a. The protrusion 37a is thereby locked.

A small plate 43, constituting a cam, is forced on a shaft 44 rotatably mounted between the walls 35a and 35b of element 35. This small plate is located in an open passage 45 provided in the barrette 40 constituting the locking member. When the small plate 43 occupies the position represented in the drawings, it locks the locking member in its working position. If it is turned of 180, by means of a screw driver engaged in one or the other of slits 46 provided at the extremities of the shaft 44, it moves the locking member 40 against the action of the return spring 41, that releases the protrusion 37a from the element 37 the rib 37b of which can then leave the slit 39.

The watch represented in FIG. 11, generally designated by 47, comprises a wristlet the two parts 48a and 48b of which are hanged to the casing each by a clasp, generally designated by 49, comprising a female element 50, secured to the casing between the lugs 51 of this latter, and a male element 52 provided with a pro trusion 52a engaged in the inner cavity, designated by 53, of the female element 50. Two embossments 52b of the protrusion 52a are engaged, when the clasp is closed, intwo circular holes 54 provided in one of the walls a of the female element 50 constituting the bottom of this latter.

A V-shaped notch 55 is provided in the protrusion 52a and is intended to receive a locking member 56, of corresponding shape, located in the cavity 53 of element 50, which is urged towards the protrusion 52a by a blade spring 57. The two converging faces 58 of the locking member 56 are each provided with a shoulder 56a extending above the protrusions 52a, when the clasp is closed, on the inclined edges of the V-shaped notch 55. Operating buttons 59 (FIG. 1 1) pass through an elongated aperture 60 of the female element 50 and are screwed in threaded holes 61 of the locking member 56. These buttons permit to operate manually the locking member for moving it against the action of its return spring 57 and, this way, to release the male element 52.

Owing to thepresent arrangement, the locking member 56 ensures not only the locking of the clasp in its closed position, preventing the embossments 52b from leaving untimely the holes 54 but, by means of the wedge effect of its converging faces 58 engaging the notch 55, ensures moreover the centering'of the two male and female elements one with respect to the other and their rigid connection.

What we claim is:

1. A clasp comprising, a first element having a male portion, a second element having a female cavity, the two elements being joined to each other by engagement of the male portion in the cavity, the cavity opening on a front face of said second element, an inwardly disposed wall in said cavity and a recess provided on said wall, the male portion having a protrusion of configuration corresponding generally to that of said recess, said protrusion being disposed in said recess, the height of the male portion being lower than the height of the cav-. ity, a slidable locking member positioned in the cavity, the locking member having a cross-sectional configuration coresponding generally to that of said cavity, the locking member being guided by the cavity walls and engageable into a working position between the male portion and a wall of the cavity positioned opposite the wall having said recess, a blade spring interposed between the bottom of the cavity and a rear face of the locking member to resiliently urge the locking member into its working position, the cavity including opposed lateral walls, each said lateral wall having a respective elongated aperture provided thereon, an operating stem passing through the locking member and extending outside the cavity on either side thereof through the apertures, said locking member being operable from outside the cavity to a release position by movement of the operating stem to move the locking member against the action of the return spring, whereby the locking member in its working position locks the protrusion in the recess to effect locking of the two elements assembled together.

2. A clasp as claimed in claim 1 in which the stern traverses the locking member with play, an operating head carried on each respective end of said stem outside of the cavity, each head being disposed proximate a respective lateral face of the second element, whereby operation of the stern by movement of one head alone will cause the stem to become inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the clasp and wedge the heads against the lateral faces of the second element to prevent movement of the locking member.

UNITED STATES PATENT ANTD'TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENTNO. 2 3,908,243 DATED 1 September 30, 1975 INVENTOR(S) I WO JOAA LOU, et al.

it is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown-below:

I On the cover page, before the classification data, read the following:

[30] FOREIGN APPLICATION PRIORITY DATA November 13, 1972 Switzerland 16,466/72 April 21, 1973 Switzerland 5,734/73 April 21, 1973 Switzerland 5,735/73 June 8, 1973 Switzerland 8,330/73 Signed and Scaled this sixteenth D ay 0f March 1 9 76 [SEAL] Attest:

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer Commissioner ofParents and Trademr'zrks 

1. A clasp comprising, a first element having a male portion, a second element having a female cavity, the two elements being joined to each other by engagement of the male portion in the cavity, the cavity opening on a front face of said second element, an inwardly disposed wall in said cavity and a recess provided on said wall, the male portion having a protrusion of configuration corresponding generally to that of said recess, said protrusion being disposed in said recess, the height of the male portion being lower than the height of the cavity, a slidable locking member positioned in the cavity, the locking member having a cross-sectional configuration coresponding generally to that of said cavity, the locking member being guided by the cavity walls and engageable into a working position between the male portion and a wall of the cavity positioned opposite the wall having said recess, a blade spring interposed between the bottom of the cavity and a rear face of the locking member to resiliently urge the locking member into its working position, the cavity including opposed lateral walls, each said lateral wall having a respective elongated aperture provided thereon, an operating stem passing through the locking member and extending outside the cavity on either side thereof through the apertures, said locking member being operable from outside the cavity to a release position by movement of the operating stem to move the locking member against the action of the return spring, whereby the locking member in its working position locks the protrusion in the recess to effect locking of the two elements assembled together.
 2. A clasp as claimed in claim 1 in which the stem traverses the locking member with play, an operating head carried on each respective end of said stem outside of the cavity, each head being disposed proximate a respective lateral face of the second element, whereby operation of the stem by movement of one head alone will cause the stem to become inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the clasp and wedge the heads against the lateral faces of the second element to prevent movement of the locking member. 